Go Back
Adam

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes – Irresistibly Hearty Weeknight Dinner 🍞🍖🧀

These Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are the ultimate comfort food mashup: thick, buttery Texas toast piled high with saucy, savory sloppy joe meat, then topped with melty cheese and broiled until golden. This easy, family-friendly recipe turns a classic childhood favorite into an irresistible open-faced sandwich that’s perfect for busy nights or game day eats! 🥄✨
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🍞 Texas Toast & Meat
  • 8 slices frozen Texas toast
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ½ cup onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup green bell pepper finely chopped
🍅 Sauce
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
🧀 Topping
  • 1½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or green onions chopped (optional)

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Baking sheet
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Method
 

Step 1: Make the Sloppy Joe Mixture
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
  2. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add chopped onion and bell pepper; sauté until softened, 3–4 minutes.
Step 2: Add Sauce Ingredients
  1. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Step 3: Prepare the Texas Toast
  1. While the meat simmers, bake frozen Texas toast slices on a baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 5 minutes, until lightly toasted but not fully browned.
Step 4: Assemble
  1. Spoon generous amounts of the sloppy joe mixture over each toast slice.
  2. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Step 5: Broil
  1. Set oven to broil.
  2. Return baking sheet to oven and broil for 2–3 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Step 6: Serve
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
  2. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

🥄 Variations
Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat.
Cheesy BBQ: Swap ketchup for BBQ sauce and use smoked cheddar.
Vegetarian: Replace ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles.
Tex-Mex: Add taco seasoning and top with pepper jack cheese.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store sloppy joe meat in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet; toast Texas bread fresh before serving.
Freezer: Freeze cooked sloppy joe mixture up to 2 months.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make my own Texas toast?
Yes—use thick-sliced bread, butter generously, and toast until golden.
Can I use ground turkey?
Absolutely—substitute for a lighter option.
Is this kid-friendly?
Yes—kids love the cheesy, saucy flavors.
Can I make it ahead?
You can prepare the meat up to 2 days in advance.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack.
How do I keep it from getting soggy?
Lightly toast bread before topping to help hold up the sauce.
Can I add veggies?
Yes—mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini blend well.
What sides go with it?
Potato wedges, coleslaw, or a green salad.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep sloppy joe filling and bread separate until serving.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes—use a larger skillet and baking sheet.
📝 Conclusion
These Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor—an easy weeknight dinner your family will devour. Turn simple pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing meal in just 30 minutes!